Havas London appoints Xav Rees as CEO

Havas has confirmed its appointment of Xav Rees to serve as CEO of its London headquarters, a role which will see the former group managing director at adam&eveDDB report directly to European and UK group CEO Chris Hurst.

The integrated marketing communication agency has yet to finalise a start date for Rees, who has worked for a number of agencies including; BBH, Grey, Wunderman and Archibald Ingall Stretton during a 22 year career spanning advertising, digital and direct disciplines.

Chris Hirst, European and UK Group CEO at Havas said: “Xav is a true powerhouse who can energise and propel an agency forward. As well as being a brilliant practitioner, he will be transformational for our culture. I’ve wanted to work with again him for a long time and am delighted to have the chance to do so now.”

Rees added: “Havas is at a tipping point. It is an agency and a group with huge ambition and, importantly, a genuinely long-term vision - which is rare in the

current landscape. I’ve been incredibly impressed by the exciting new team at Havas; I can’t wait to work with them to drive the agency’s transformation”.

Rees helped oversee the merger of DDB and adam&eve and was the only member of the original DDB leadership team to transition to the combined business.

Elsewhere, Havas also announced that Stefano Spadini will take charge of all Havas’ media brands in Italy including Havas Media, Arena Media and Havas Sports & Entertainment.